Focus on the letter “a” and the letter “e”: affect is the action, and effect is the end result. Thus, if A affects B, then B experiences the effect of A’s action.ġ. The bright colors in the room had a stirring effect on the students. His teaching methods had such an effect on me. The beneficial effects of the exercise are well documented. You’ll feel the effect of the medication in the next twenty minutes. His teaching methods affected me greatly.Įffect is commonly used as a noun, meaning the result or outcome of an influence, or a particular look, sound or impression that an artist or writer wants to create: Gravity affects everything in the universe.

The medicine will affect your eyesight for at least an hour.

These terms come up frequently in scientific and medical writing.Īffect is commonly used as a verb, meaning to impact on, to influence, or to produce a change in something: According to a Twitter poll I conducted recently, numerous people are challenged to use the words “affect” and “effect” correctly.

Have an effect on me